Sailing With The Boys

The Admiral and I took the boys out today and they were a little restless, and Kevin adds "bored". We had light winds, calm seas and a few dolphins. Every day is different.

Dana Point's Christmas Parade of Boats

Last Saturday was the final night for our local Christmas Boat Parade. Jackie, Sandra and Navy Joe joined the Admiral and I for a great show. The weather was nice and we had a super spot to watch the boats. Thanks Joe for the pic.

A December Day Sail

Navy Joe and the Capt had a very relaxing day on the water today. Winds were light, the sea was flat and the sun was out most of the day. Thank you Joe for you're help with the wash down, this guy is awesome with the chamois.








Marinas come in all shapes, sizes and locations. This is what we face daily, Oh well, someone has to do it!

Sail Boat Electronics 101

A look at the engine without an alternator



Same engine with the alternator replaced



Here's our alternator, rebuilt and lookin' good.



Recently while motoring out, the Capt noticed the voltmeter was not registering the normal 14 volts and the tach was not working at all. Hummmm, we're running off the batteries and we're not getting a charge from our alternator. Alternators are clever devices that create electricity while the engine is running for all the electrical stuff...VHF radio, radar, lights, refrig etc. I removed ours and drove it up to Costa Mesa to have it checked out. Today I reinstalled it and the tach and voltmeter are back to normal. Serenity NOW is ready to go. Any takers?

Our 24 Hour Escape

Returning to the marina



Sunset on the hook



Night lights at the anchorage



Rare So Cal rain



Pilgram maintenance



Harbor jetty doing its thing

Tribute to Coach

The Admiral and I had a wonderful day today celebrating the life and legacy of John Scolinos.
It was great to reunite with John's family and friends, past teammates and coaches to recollect our time together.

Coach John Scolinos 1918-2009

The Captain played four years at Cal Poly Pomona for this fine man. He "talked the talk and walked the walk". He's a legend that has touched the lives of most that came in contact with him, just ask the Admiral.

Cherry Cove Get-A-Way

Cash for Clunkers Candidate?





Bon Apetite. Our lobster and shrimp lunch while returning to Dana Point.





The unlucky one




Our escort to the island





Another busy day at Cherry Cove




The Admiral and the Captain were able to sneak away for a few days of R and R. Cherry Cove was the destination of choice and it was pleasantly deserted. Several strenuous days hikes made our itinerary. And one very unlucky lobster met it's demise and made for a tasty lobster/shrimp quesadilla on our trip back.

Ripper's Cove

Looking west from Ripper's
Serenity Now on the hook
Lobster quesadilla anyone?
JR and two of his buddies
JR and the Capt left early Friday morning headed for the island in search of the evasive and great tasting lobster. We did two night dives (Friday and Saturday) in 65 degree water. The visibility was excellent. Did I mention that bugs are evasive? We boated 4 keepers in two nights thanks to JR's technique and skill.

Sail On Nate

Today a family of 10 joined the Capt to pay tribute and scatter the ashes of a loved one. There were tears, laughs and wonderful stories about this fine man. Nate loved the water and was an accomplished and competitive sailor. May he rest in peace.

Sailor Jerry Joins the Crew

Wow, what'a ride we had this past week. Jackpot and the Capt were joined by Sailor Jerry, El Jeffe and Captain Morgan for the 7th annual Catalina cruise. First night was spent at Button Shell Cove, then it was on to Ripper's and finally Little Geiger. Weather and water was perfect. Another great time on the water.

Gettin' Ready for the Annual Catalina Convention of Nesporados

The reunion this year will take place September 15th-21st. Jackpot and The Captain will be reunited with El Jeffe and The Mac Slayer at the Isthmus. The crew is looking forward to a lot of fishin', snorklin', fishin', snorklin', fishin'...you get the general idea. Preparation this week on Serenity NOW included filling the water and fuel tanks, changing the gear oil, motor oil and spark plug on the outboard, checking the batteries, checking the diesel engine, pumping out the bilge, replacing the heat exchanger zinc, oiling the exterior teak, taking inventory of what's on board, and re-glueing the dinghy seams. The day before we leave will be the final wash down and detail. The Capt will be ready for a few days at the island.

Young Sailors Join The Fun

After the Commander In Chief and Admiral dropped off the crew and pushed us out, we had a leisurely sail down the coast along San Clemente in light winds. Chow was served and all hands eagerly gobbled up their rations. The wind finally came up on our trip back for a brisk sail into the marina.
The weather was so warm, we all enjoyed a picnic dinner at the marina watching the world go by.

While LA Burns...

...the crew of Serenity NOW found themselves enjoying the dolphins, whales, flying fish and the mola mola (sunfish).
A 6.5 mile hike to Little Harbor, on the back side, was just right for a swim and lunch.
The Admiral on our trip home.

Dawns Early Light

This was our 6 A.M. wake-up call this morning. Our SC contingency (Santa Clarita, har har) later informed us that Zach was under the weather and they wouldn't be joining us on this trip. Zachie, get better soon. We love you.

Rest In Peace Mary

Recently, a long-time friend called to inform us that his mother had passed away. This morning he and his two brothers and three sisters sailed from Dana Point aboard Serenity NOW to scatter the ashes of their beloved mother. Yellow roses were Marys' favorite. Sail on Mary...

With "Serenity Now" safely tucked into her slip, we ventured to Rock and McGee Canyons near Mammoth Lakes for a change of scenery.

MUSIC BY THE ADAM BURNS BAND...they rock!

The Nesporados Welcome the Emerados

Catalina Island is awesome during the summer. Matt and Laura joined us for a quick visit and I think it's safe to say everyone had a great time. Our guest mixologist even created his first "Emerado". Stay thirsty my friends!

A July weekend on Santa Catalina Island with amigos

Summertime in Catalina

Our "secret spot".
The Isthmus was in full swing last weekend. Weather was gorgeous and the water is warming up.

We Interrupt This Sailing Blog to Bring You an Important Message...Jackie's 89th Birthday!

A Week in Paradise

The Capt's 62nd B-Day at Big Geiger Cove

El Jeffe At Peace With The Universe

El Jeffe and the Capt had a real "Niespodziany" on Saturday, 15-20 knots of wind and a new 150% genoa. Does it get any better?